GLOBE, a premier telecommunications services provider in the Philippines, will roll out more activities and launch new projects this year geared towards developing entrepreneurship among Filipinos.
Through its corporate social responsibility arm Globe Bridging Communities (Globe BridgeCom), Globe will introduce trainings on product development and design, and establish a forum on entrepreneurship for select youth leaders utilizing information and communications technology (ICT). This year, Globe BridgeCom will also offer grants, trainings and opportunities for market linkages to chosen community enterprises.
"The community leadership and entrepreneurship program of Globe started as a livelihood training program that aims to promote entrepreneurship as a tool for economic self-sufficiency. Through the years, it continues to evolve to meet the various needs of Filipino micro-entrepreneurs and this year they can expect more initiatives from us as we carry out Globe's mission to transform and enrich lives," said Jeffrey O. Tarayao, head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Globe.
Globe BridgeCom created its Enterprise Development Program to address the strong need of communities for alternative sources of income. As of end 2009, this program has benefited more than 32,000 Filipino leaders and micro-entrepreneurs from thousands of barangays all over the country.
Globe provides livelihood trainings that equip micro-entrepreneurs with skills on marketing, operations and financial management, as well as help them create viable new products and services with the use of ICT.
From offering livelihood trainings, the Enterprise Development Program of Globe has grown to accommodate new projects and reach more Filipinos in the provinces. It launched Globe Entrepreneurship Fairs in 12 provinces to provide a venue for training participants to showcase their products to a larger audience.
These fairs also allowed them to learn from successful local entrepreneurs, share their experiences and learn from one another, and encourage their entrepreneurial interests.
Globe Entrepreneurship Fairs have been held in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, General Santos City, Baguio City, Iloilo City, Lipa City in Batangas, Metro Manila, Negros Occidental, Isabela, La Union, Bicol and Quezon.
Participants learn how to integrate ICT in their livelihood, and Globe services that would be useful to entrepreneurs are also showed during the Magnegosyo Kasama ang Globe panel discussion. These include GCash, Autoload Max and other communication tools that enable businesses offered by Globe Business.
Last year, Globe also broadened its Enterprise Development Program as it introduced the Globe BridgeCom Livelihood Grants. This project will help sustain and expand community enterprises as Globe provides them the needed support to attain their economic goals.